Love them or loathe them, AKB48 are a J-Pop phenomenon and thousands of fans flock each day to the AKB48 Cafe & Shop in Akihabara to pay homage to the super group. The AKB48 Cafe & Shop opened in September, 2011.

The AKB48 Cafe & Shop includes a wide-screen theater where fans can enjoy a recorded performance by the group while enjoying a buffet (price 2,700 yen). There are two screenings on weekdays and four on weekends.

The AKB48 Cafe serves such group favorites as Giant Panda curry and Hamburg Steak Loco Moco washed down with a choice of soft drink cocktails: Berry Berry Yoghurt and Blue Lagoon. The food is served by waitresses wearing AKB48 outfits.

The AKB48 Shop has a variety of AKB48 goods including AKB48 Donuts and other themed goodies with the packaging featuring the group's members. Don't miss the private room where up to 16 fans can hold get-togethers for 10,000 yen and an AKB48 member might just drop in, or not.

AKB48 Cafe & Shop is located at Akihabara Station at the Electric Town Exit on the opposite side from the giant Yodobashi Akiba electronics store. There are other AKB48 Cafes and Shops in Hakata, Namba and Singapore.